WELCOME

Dr. Rahimah Hamdan is a lecturer at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), specializing in Traditional Malay Literature and Malay Cultural Studies. Her expertise spans traditional literature, cultural thought, and Malay intellectual heritage. To date, she has published more than 58 scholarly articles in both indexed and non-indexed journals addressing various dimensions of Malay literature and culture.

Among her significant academic contributions are in-depth studies on early Malay autobiographical writing, particularly the works of Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir Munsyi as well as analyses of historical and legendary figures such as Hang Tuah, examining their roles in shaping Malay collective identity and cultural values. Her research also offers critical perspectives on colonial views of Malay culture, including studies on the symbolism of the keris and the narratives within traditional literature.

Dr. Rahimah is actively engaged in international academic networks, with her research profiles accessible on ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and ORCID. In 2024, she was awarded an international research grant by the Sumitomo Foundation (Japan) for a project related to Malay manuscripts and cultural heritage. In 2025, she was selected as a recipient of a travel grant and conference fee sponsorship from the Southeast Asian Studies Regional Exchange Program (SEASREP) Foundation, based in the Philippines.

Beyond research and publication, she is also involved in cultural advocacy and global women’s leadership initiatives. She currently serves as the Malaysia Country Chair for the Culture & Heritage Wing of G100, a prestigious international network of women leaders. In June 2025, Dr. Rahimah was invited as a guest speaker at the ASEAN World Economic Forum 2025, where she addressed cultural issues and women's leadership in Southeast Asia.

Most recently, she presented a paper entitled “Pakai Cara Melayu” at the Bicara Seni Budaya programme, held in conjunction with the International Rentak Bertandak Melaka 2025 event, as part of the pre-launch of World Tourism Day 2025 and the UNESCO Anniversary Celebration, organized by the State Government of Melaka.